The bodies of six Italian soldiers killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan have arrived in Rome, BBC reported.
They have been met by the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, family members and an honour guard.
On Monday a state funeral will be held with a minute's silence in schools and public buildings across Italy.
Their deaths on Thursday were the single biggest loss the country has suffered since it sent troops to Afghanistan five years ago.
The BBC's correspondent in Rome Duncan Kennedy says it was a moving moment when President Napolitano placed his hands on each of the six coffins.
The deaths have made a powerful impact on Italy, with extensive coverage in newspapers and on television.
Our correspondent says the killings have started a fractious debate about Italy's role in Afghanistan.
There are now more than 3,000 Italian soldiers in the country, mostly in the capital, Kabul, and the western area of Herat.
Some political parties have called for their withdrawal but earlier this week, the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said the troops must remain in Afghanistan despite the high price Italy is paying.